Enhanced navigation and ride hailing

ABSTRACT

A system for navigation and ride hailing that provides options for navigating traffic through express lanes or the like. Information, such as express lane profile information, toll price information for the express lane during a period, and traffic information along one or more paths may be used to determine the fastest options along to a destination at different toll price points.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/792,520, filed Feb. 17, 2020, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

One of the most popular features of modern mobile devices is thenavigation application. People often use navigation applications onmobile devices to determine the best route to a destination even if theyknow how to get to their destination. The typical navigation applicationcan provide route information, traffic information, and even informationabout businesses, such as restaurants, grocery stores, departmentstores, and the like. Navigation applications may be used in the contextof ride hailing services. Ride hailing services may use online-enabledplatforms to connect passengers and local drivers using privatevehicles.

Even with such navigation applications and ride hailing services,whether it is a public bus system or private car, getting from one placeto another seems increasingly more difficult and costly.

This background information is provided to reveal information believedby the applicant to be of possible relevance. No admission isnecessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the precedinginformation constitutes prior art.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a system for navigation and ride hailing thatprovides options for navigating traffic through express lanes or thelike. In an example, an apparatus may include a processor and a memorycoupled with the processor that effectuates operations. The operationsmay include receiving traffic information, wherein the trafficinformation comprises traffic conditions along one or more routes to adestination; receiving express lane pass information associated with aprofile; receiving toll information along the one or more routes to thedestination; based on the traffic information, express lane passinformation, or toll information, determining a plurality of routes tothe destination and corresponding costs for using each route of theplurality of routes to the destination; and transmitting the pluralityof routes and corresponding costs for using each route of the pluralityof routes.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore,the claimed subject matter is not limited to limitations that solve anyor all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system for enhanced navigation and ridehailing.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary environment in which the enhancednavigation and ride hailing system may be implemented.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method for an enhanced navigation andride hailing system.

FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary routes to destination location.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary method for an enhanced navigation andride hailing system.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary alert for the system for enhancednavigation and ride hailing.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic of an exemplary network device.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary communication system that provideswireless telecommunication services over wireless communicationnetworks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein is a system for navigation and ride hailing thatprovides options for skipping traffic through express lanes or the like.Information, such as express lane profile information, toll priceinformation for the express lane during a period, and trafficinformation along one or more paths may be used to determine the fastestoptions along to a destination at different toll price points. Theenhanced navigation and ride hailing system may be used to make andprovide near real time calculations and identify fast and cost-efficientexpress lane routes.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system for enhanced navigation and ridehailing. System 100 may include server 101, server 102 (e.g., departmentof transportation server), server 103 (e.g., ride sharing or ridehailing server), mobile devices, such as mobile phone 104, vehicle 105,or vehicle 106. Mobile phone 104, vehicle 105, vehicle 106, server 101,server 102, and server 103 may be communicatively connected with eachother via network 107. A mobile device may include a laptop, tablet,autonomous vehicle, or mobile phone, among other things. Vehicle 105 orvehicle 106 may be autonomous vehicles, which may range from level 2(i.e., partial automation) to level 5 (i.e., full automation) asdescribed by SAE international (formerly Society of AutomotiveEngineers). Server 102 may be a server that includes informationassociated with government roads or public transportation. In anexample, the information of server 102 may include costs of tolls at acertain time, whether construction is occurring along a road, electronicpass holder profile information (e.g., account balance), plannedconstruction dates for an area, weather, or hazardous conditions in anarea, among other things. Server 103 may include ride sharing or ridehailing information, such as driver information, prices of a path to benavigated by a driver, driver history, history traversing a path forpassengers, or demand for ride hailing or ride sharing for certaintimes, among other things. Server 101 may obtain information frommultiple sources to assist in delivering enhanced navigation and ridehailing. The information of server 101 may include information fromserver 102, server 103, mobile phone 104, vehicle 105, vehicle 106, orthe like.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary environment in which the enhancednavigation and ride hailing system may be implemented. As shown, thereare a total of four lanes, which include 3 normal lanes (e.g., normallane 122, normal lane 123, and normal lane 124) and one express lane(e.g., express lane 121). Express lanes may be consideredspecially-designated highway lanes that allow drivers to choose to pay atoll to use the lanes and that are often free (or at a reduced price) tocarpools, motorcycles, vanpools and other eligible vehicles during thedesignated hours of operation. It is contemplated herein, that expresslanes may always require a fee, regardless of how many passengers or thelike. In addition, express lanes are usually on the same or very closeto a highway with normal lanes (e.g., no fee) and are not extensivelyseparated roads from the normal highway lanes (e.g., thousands of feet).Express lane 121, as shown, includes multiple exits, such as exit 110,exit 111, exit 112, and exit 113. Exit 110, exit 111, exit 112, and exit113 may be configured to bi-directionally allow vehicle traffic to enteror exit. In addition, FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary delays (e.g., delay126-delay 129) that may occur between each exit because of traffic dueto car accidents or the like. The delays may be for different reasonsand may add different time periods to travel along the normal route.Delay 126 may be due to a traffic accident, delay 127 may be due to themere number of vehicles on the road, delay 128 may be due to badweather, and delay 129 may be due to reduced lanes because of road work.Other exemplary reasons for delay may include stalled cars, overturnedvehicles, or onlooker delay, among other things.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method for an enhanced navigation andride hailing system. In an exemplary scenario, at step 131, a navigationapplication may obtain destination location (e.g., an address orcoordinate), such as destination location 140. The navigationapplication may operate on mobile phone 104 or vehicle 105 and beassociated with a user profile.

At step 132, based on a current location of mobile phone 104 or vehicle105, or destination location 140, traffic information and tollinformation may be obtained by server 101 of FIG. 1 . Trafficinformation may include live traffic data, historical traffic data, orpredicted traffic data. Live (e.g., near real-time) traffic data mayinclude crowd source data, such as an indication (e.g., from otherdevices or user profiles) that there is an accident or another reasonfor delay, as discussed herein. Live traffic data may include speed ofmobile devices in a location, weather information, locations of delayalong a route, amount of delay along a route, or a confidence levelassociated with the device (e.g., mobile phone or camera) or userprofile that is associated with the live traffic data, among otherthings. A confidence level may be used to increase or decrease theweighted use of traffic information which may account for reliability(e.g., level of trust) of information from a device or user profile.Confidence level may be based on a location of a device or user profile(e.g., reporting traffic information at significant distance fromalleged traffic incident may reduce confidence level), number ofconfirmation of observances by other devices or user profiles, or thelike. Historical traffic data may comprise similar categories of livetraffic data, but over days, weeks, months, or the like. Predictedtraffic data may use a combination of live traffic data and historicaltraffic data in order to determine an expected state (e.g., travel time)along a route to the destination location 140. Toll information mayinclude a near real-time price to travel in an express lane during aperiod. The price may be affected by the length of the vehicle, theweight of the vehicle, the demand of the express lane, the time, or thelike. For example, exit 110-exit 111 may be a first cost (also referredto as a toll or financial price), exit 111-exit 112 may be a secondcost, and exit 110-exit 113 may be a third cost.

At step 133, based on the associated user profile of step 131, expresslane pass information may be obtained by server 101. The express lanepass information associated with the user profile may be obtained fromserver 102 or another device. The express lane pass information may, forthe designated user profile, indicate how much money is available on theexpress lane pass, whether mobile phone 104 or vehicle 105 is allowed touse an express lane, or user predetermined preferred cost restrictionsunder an absolute limit based on total balance available. A user profilemay restrict the daily, monthly, or weekly amount that is allowed to beused. So, a user with a $100.00 available balance may have a dailyrestriction of $5.00 and the system for enhanced navigation and ridehailing will determine routes (also referred herein as paths) based onthe daily restriction.

With continued reference to FIG. 3 , at step 134, based on the trafficinformation, express lane pass information, or toll information,determining a plurality of routes to the destination location 140 andcorresponding costs for using each route of the plurality of routes tothe destination location 140. FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary routes todestination location 140. The routes may include route 141, route 142,or route 143. Route 141 may be instructions to enter express lane 121 atexit 110 and leave express lane 121 at exit 112 to arrive at destinationlocation 140 within a first estimated time at a first estimated cost.Route 143 bypasses delay 126 and delay 127 and traverses a portion ofdelay 128. Route 142 may be instructions to enter express lane 121 atexit 110 and leave express lane 121 at exit 111 to arrive at destinationlocation 140 within a second estimated time at a second estimated cost.Route 142 bypasses delay 126 and traverses delay 127 and a portion ofdelay 128. Route 143 may be instructions to not enter express lane 121and traverse delay 126, delay 127, and a portion of delay 128 to arriveat destination location 140 within a third estimated time at a thirdestimated cost.

At step 135, obtaining a selection of a first route of the plurality ofroutes of step 134. For example, route 142 may be selected. Theselection may be based on touch input from a user interface or the like.Alternatively, the route may be selected based on additional criteria,such as predetermined preference in a user profile to select the fastestroute (within a cost budget) to the destination, user history ofselecting the first route over other routes when the route is within thetop routes (e.g., top three ordered in amount of time or toll amount totraverse the routes), or the like. At step 136, transmitting anindication of the route selection to an interface of the driver ofvehicle 105 (which may be autonomous).

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary method for an enhanced navigation andride hailing system. In an exemplary scenario, at step 151, a navigationapplication may obtain destination location (e.g., an address orcoordinate), such as destination location 140. The navigationapplication may operate on mobile phone 104 or vehicle 105 and beassociated with a user profile of a ride sharing passenger or ridehauling passenger. A plurality of ride sharing passengers or ridehauling passengers in vehicle 105 are contemplated herein. Eachpassenger device (or user profile) during the time of the route may belinked to a single ride sharing identifier or ride hailing identifier.This linking may assist with subsequent route decisions during the timeeach passenger is in vehicle 105.

At step 152, based on a current location of mobile phone 104 or vehicle105, or destination location 140, traffic information and tollinformation may be obtained by server 101 of FIG. 1 . Trafficinformation may include live traffic data, historical traffic data, orpredicted traffic data, as disclosed herein. Toll information mayinclude cost to travel in an express lane during a period, as discussedherein. In some scenarios a ride sharing or ride hauling service mayautomatically receive free access to the express lane because there aremultiple individuals in vehicle 105. There may be situations where atoll is required.

At step 153, based on the associated user profiles or ride sharingidentifier (or ride hailing identifier) of step 151, express lane passinformation may be obtained by server 101. The express lane passinformation associated with the user profiles or ride sharing identifiermay be obtained from server 102 or another device. In a first scenario,the user profile of a passenger may be linked to the ride hailingidentifier and the express lane pass information may also be linked. Inthis instance, the ride hailer owner (e.g., taxi owner) may not need topurchase an express lane pass, for example. In a second scenario, theride hailer owner may own an express lane pass and its express lane passinformation may be obtained and used.

With continued reference to FIG. 5 , at step 154, based on the trafficinformation, express lane pass information, or toll information,determining a plurality of routes to the destination location 140 andcorresponding costs for using each route of the plurality of routes tothe destination location 140. FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary routes to adestination location.

At step 155, obtaining a selection of a first route of the plurality ofroutes of step 134. For example, there may be two passengers headed todifferent destinations. A first passenger may be headed to destinationlocation 140 and the second passenger may be headed to anotherdestination location (not shown). In a first scenario, both passengersmay receive an alert about the plurality of routes, and they may bothdecide to pay an additional cost (because of the toll) of the ridehailing service. The additional cost may be divided by the number ofpassengers or weighted (e.g., first passenger 70% of additional costpaid) by the passenger that receives the higher time savings benefit ifa normal route (e.g., no toll route) was taken (e.g., first passengerreceives 5 minutes and second passenger receives 2 minutes of savings).In a second scenario, both passengers may receive an alert about theplurality of routes, and only the passenger with the first stop maydecide to pay an additional cost of the ride hailing service.

With continued reference to FIG. 5 and step 155, route 142 of FIG. 4 maybe selected. The selection may be based on touch input from a userinterface or the like. Alternatively, the route may be automaticallyselected based on additional criteria, such as predetermined preferencein the user profiles to select the fastest route (within a price budget)to destination location 140, user history of selecting the first routeover other routes when the route is within the top routes, predeterminedpreference in the user profiles to divide tolls in a certain manner, orthe like. This predetermined preference to divide tolls (or other userprofile preferences disclosed herein) may be an initial factor inwhether a first user is picked to share the ride hailing service with asecond user to the destination location 140 of the first user. At step156, transmitting an indication of the route selection to an interfaceof the driver of vehicle 105 (which may be autonomous).

It is contemplated herein that the discussion and example scenarios ofride hailing and ride sharing as discussed herein apply generallyequally to each other. One term or the other will be used for simplicitybut is considered generally similar in application. It is alsocontemplated herein that the navigation may be updated after a selectionor initial determination. For example, route 142 may be initiallyselected but as vehicle 105 approaches exit 111 route 141 may beselected. In addition, it is contemplated herein that the express lanepass information, toll information, and traffic information, among otherinformation (e.g., number of passengers) may be on one device ordistributed over multiple devices.

Disclosed below is additional subject matter for the enhanced navigationand ride hailing system. The enhanced navigation and ride hailing systemmay make near real time calculations and identify faster express laneroutes (when available) at different price points. For navigation andride share apps, pop up alerts (see FIG. 6 ) may inform riders whenfaster express lane routes are available along with how much time may besaved and at what cost. If the rider chooses an express lane option, theadditional cost may be added to the initial cost of the ride. Thisfeature enhancement may be applicable to other navigation apps. Theenhanced navigation and ride hailing system may provide users moreoptions on how and when to use express lanes efficiently and allow priceconscious users to pick the option that best fits their needs.

Conventional ride hailing, ride sharing, and navigation applications maynot give users the option to use express lanes to expedite their travel.The disclosed feature enhancement takes into account toll prices andtraffic conditions to suggest faster options along with the route withtime savings at different price points. Traffic conditions may includelive traffic determination (e.g., current time to arrive at destinationalong one or more routes based on number of vehicles on road, weatherconditions, accidents or the like).

Further, the disclosed feature enhancement may provide options to theusers and navigate them through the exact entry and exits points of theexpress lane based on the selected option. The disclosed system allowsfor options to avoid congestion (construction, accident, rush-hour)using express lanes. The disclosed system is made aware of the entry andexit points of the express lanes, and when a vehicle should move to thenormal lanes after they skip the congested area and vice versa.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of network device 300 that may be connected toor comprise a component of system 100. Network device 300 may comprisehardware or a combination of hardware and software. The functionality tofacilitate telecommunications via a telecommunications network mayreside in one or combination of network devices 300. Network device 300depicted in FIG. 7 may represent or perform functionality of anappropriate network device 300, or combination of network devices 300,such as, for example, a component or various components of a cellularbroadcast system wireless network, a processor, a server, a gateway, anode, a mobile switching center (MSC), a short message service center(SMSC), an automatic location function server (ALFS), a gateway mobilelocation center (GMLC), a radio access network (RAN), a serving mobilelocation center (SMLC), or the like, or any appropriate combinationthereof. It is emphasized that the block diagram depicted in FIG. 7 isexemplary and not intended to imply a limitation to a specificimplementation or configuration. Thus, network device 300 may beimplemented in a single device or multiple devices (e.g., single serveror multiple servers, single gateway or multiple gateways, singlecontroller or multiple controllers). Multiple network entities may bedistributed or centrally located. Multiple network entities maycommunicate wirelessly, via hard wire, or any appropriate combinationthereof.

Network device 300 may comprise a processor 302 and a memory 304 coupledto processor 302. Memory 304 may contain executable instructions that,when executed by processor 302, cause processor 302 to effectuateoperations associated with mapping wireless signal strength.

In addition to processor 302 and memory 304, network device 300 mayinclude an input/output system 306. Processor 302, memory 304, andinput/output system 306 may be coupled together (coupling not shown inFIG. 7 ) to allow communications between them. Each portion of networkdevice 300 may comprise circuitry for performing functions associatedwith each respective portion. Thus, each portion may comprise hardware,or a combination of hardware and software. Input/output system 306 maybe capable of receiving or providing information from or to acommunications device or other network entities configured fortelecommunications. For example, input/output system 306 may include awireless communications (e.g., 3G/4G/GPS) card. Input/output system 306may be capable of receiving or sending video information, audioinformation, control information, image information, data, or anycombination thereof. Input/output system 306 may be capable oftransferring information with network device 300. In variousconfigurations, input/output system 306 may receive or provideinformation via any appropriate means, such as, for example, opticalmeans (e.g., infrared), electromagnetic means (e.g., RF, Wi-Fi,Bluetooth®, ZigBee®), acoustic means (e.g., speaker, microphone,ultrasonic receiver, ultrasonic transmitter), or a combination thereof.In an example configuration, input/output system 306 may comprise aWi-Fi finder, a two-way GPS chipset or equivalent, or the like, or acombination thereof.

Input/output system 306 of network device 300 also may contain acommunication connection 308 that allows network device 300 tocommunicate with other devices, network entities, or the like.Communication connection 308 may comprise communication media.Communication media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated datasignal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includesany information delivery media. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media may include wired media such as a wired network ordirect-wired connection, or wireless media such as acoustic, RF,infrared, or other wireless media. The term computer-readable media asused herein includes both storage media and communication media.Input/output system 306 also may include an input device 310 such askeyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, or touch input device.Input/output system 306 may also include an output device 312, such as adisplay, speakers, or a printer.

Processor 302 may be capable of performing functions associated withtelecommunications, such as functions for processing broadcast messages,as described herein. For example, processor 302 may be capable of, inconjunction with any other portion of network device 300, determining atype of broadcast message and acting according to the broadcast messagetype or content, as described herein.

Memory 304 of network device 300 may comprise a storage medium having aconcrete, tangible, physical structure. As is known, a signal does nothave a concrete, tangible, physical structure. Memory 304, as well asany computer-readable storage medium described herein, is not to beconstrued as a signal. Memory 304, as well as any computer-readablestorage medium described herein, is not to be construed as a transientsignal. Memory 304, as well as any computer-readable storage mediumdescribed herein, is not to be construed as a propagating signal. Memory304, as well as any computer-readable storage medium described herein,is to be construed as an article of manufacture.

Memory 304 may store any information utilized in conjunction withtelecommunications. Depending upon the exact configuration or type ofprocessor, memory 304 may include a volatile storage 314 (such as sometypes of RAM), a nonvolatile storage 316 (such as ROM, flash memory), ora combination thereof. Memory 304 may include additional storage (e.g.,a removable storage 318 or a non-removable storage 320) including, forexample, tape, flash memory, smart cards, CD-ROM, DVD, or other opticalstorage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, USB-compatible memory, or any othermedium that can be used to store information and that can be accessed bynetwork device 300. Memory 304 may comprise executable instructionsthat, when executed by processor 302, cause processor 302 to effectuateoperations to map signal strengths in an area of interest.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 500 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods described above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate, for example, as processor 302, vehicle 105, vehicle 106, mobiledevice 105, server 103, server 101, server 102, or other devices of FIG.1 . In some examples, the machine may be connected (e.g., using anetwork 502) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machinemay operate in the capacity of a server or a client user machine in aserver-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in apeer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a communication device of the subject disclosureincludes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

Computer system 500 may include a processor (or controller) 504 (e.g., acentral processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit (GPU, orboth), a main memory 506 and a static memory 508, which communicate witheach other via a bus 510. The computer system 500 may further include adisplay unit 512 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, ora solid state display). Computer system 500 may include an input device514 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 516 (e.g., a mouse), adisk drive unit 518, a signal generation device 520 (e.g., a speaker orremote control) and a network interface device 522. In distributedenvironments, the examples described in the subject disclosure can beadapted to utilize multiple display units 512 controlled by two or morecomputer systems 500. In this configuration, presentations described bythe subject disclosure may in part be shown in a first of display units512, while the remaining portion is presented in a second of displayunits 512.

The disk drive unit 518 may include a tangible computer-readable storagemedium 524 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g.,software 526) embodying any one or more of the methods or functionsdescribed herein, including those methods illustrated above.Instructions 526 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within main memory 506, static memory 508, or within processor 504during execution thereof by the computer system 500. Main memory 506 andprocessor 504 also may constitute tangible computer-readable storagemedia.

As described herein, a telecommunications system may utilize a softwaredefined network (SDN). SDN and a simple IP may be based, at least inpart, on user equipment, that provide a wireless management and controlframework that enables common wireless management and control, such asmobility management, radio resource management, QoS, load balancing,etc., across many wireless technologies, e.g. LTE, Wi-Fi, and future 5Gaccess technologies; decoupling the mobility control from data planes tolet them evolve and scale independently; reducing network statemaintained in the network based on user equipment types to reducenetwork cost and allow massive scale; shortening cycle time andimproving network upgradability; flexibility in creating end-to-endservices based on types of user equipment and applications, thus improvecustomer experience; or improving user equipment power efficiency andbattery life—especially for simple M2M devices—through enhanced wirelessmanagement.

While examples of a system in which navigation and ride hailing alertscan be processed and managed have been described in connection withvarious computing devices/processors, the underlying concepts may beapplied to any computing device, processor, or system capable offacilitating a telecommunications system. The various techniquesdescribed herein may be implemented in connection with hardware orsoftware or, where appropriate, with a combination of both. Thus, themethods and devices may take the form of program code (i.e.,instructions) embodied in concrete, tangible, storage media having aconcrete, tangible, physical structure. Examples of tangible storagemedia include floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, DVDs, hard drives, or any othertangible machine-readable storage medium (computer-readable storagemedium). Thus, a computer-readable storage medium is not a signal. Acomputer-readable storage medium is not a transient signal. Further, acomputer-readable storage medium is not a propagating signal. Acomputer-readable storage medium as described herein is an article ofmanufacture. When the program code is loaded into and executed by amachine, such as a computer, the machine becomes a device fortelecommunications. In the case of program code execution onprogrammable computers, the computing device will generally include aprocessor, a storage medium readable by the processor (includingvolatile or nonvolatile memory or storage elements), at least one inputdevice, and at least one output device. The program(s) can beimplemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. The languagecan be a compiled or interpreted language, and may be combined withhardware implementations.

The methods and devices associated with a telecommunications system asdescribed herein also may be practiced via communications embodied inthe form of program code that is transmitted over some transmissionmedium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics,or via any other form of transmission, wherein, when the program code isreceived and loaded into and executed by a machine, such as an EPROM, agate array, a programmable logic device (PLD), a client computer, or thelike, the machine becomes a device for implementing telecommunicationsas described herein. When implemented on a general-purpose processor,the program code combines with the processor to provide a unique devicethat operates to invoke the functionality of a telecommunicationssystem.

While the disclosed systems have been described in connection with thevarious examples of the various figures, it is to be understood thatother similar implementations may be used or modifications and additionsmay be made to the described examples of a telecommunications systemwithout deviating therefrom. For example, one skilled in the art willrecognize that a telecommunications system as described in the instantapplication may apply to any environment, whether wired or wireless, andmay be applied to any number of such devices connected via acommunications network and interacting across the network. Therefore,the disclosed systems as described herein should not be limited to anysingle example, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope inaccordance with the appended claims.

In describing preferred methods, systems, or apparatuses of the subjectmatter of the present disclosure — enhanced navigation and ridehailing—as illustrated in the Figures, specific terminology is employedfor the sake of clarity. The claimed subject matter, however, is notintended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected. Inaddition, the use of the word “or” is generally used inclusively unlessotherwise provided herein.

This written description uses examples to enable any person skilled inthe art to practice the claimed subject matter, including making andusing any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods.Other variations of the examples are contemplated herein.

Methods, systems, and apparatuses, among other things, as describedherein may provide for managing or operating an enhanced navigation orride hailing system. A method, system, computer readable storage medium,or apparatus may obtain (e.g., receive) traffic information, wherein thetraffic information includes traffic conditions along one or more paths(also referred herein as a route) to a destination; obtain express lanepass information associated with a profile (e.g., user profile of apassenger or mobile phone user); obtain toll information along the oneor more paths to the destination; based on the traffic information,express lane pass information, or toll information, determine aplurality of paths to the destination and corresponding costs for usingeach path of the plurality of paths to the destination; and transmit theplurality of paths and corresponding costs for using each path of theplurality of paths to the destination. The plurality of paths (i.e.,routes) may be routes from a current location (or other marked beginninglocation) of a mobile device and a destination location (e.g., arestaurant, home, office, field, or the like). The method, system,computer readable storage medium, or apparatus provides for obtaining aselection (e.g., an indication of a selection) of a first path of theplurality paths; and based on the selection of the first path, sending amessage to a rideshare device or autonomous vehicle to alter anavigation path of a vehicle to the first path. The method, system,computer readable storage medium, or apparatus provides for based on theplurality of paths and corresponding costs for using each path,determining a first path that corresponds to a cost threshold and timethreshold; and transmitting instructions that indicate to a navigationapplication to travel along the first path. The navigation applicationmay be associated with an autonomous vehicle. The method, system,computer readable storage medium, or apparatus provides for based on thetraffic information, express lane pass information, or toll information,determining a first path of the one or more paths to the destination.The method, system, computer readable storage medium, or apparatusprovides for obtaining a selection of a first route of the plurality ofroutes; and based on the selection of the first route, sending a messageto a navigation application to alter a navigation route of a vehicle tothe first route. The first route may be displayed on an interface of amobile device. The method, system, computer readable storage medium, orapparatus provides for automatically obtaining a selection of a firstroute of the plurality of routes based on the profile. The profile mayinclude a daily amount that may be used for express lanes, how a toll isdivided between passengers of a vehicle, time of day, or the like.Methods, systems, and apparatuses, among other things, as describedherein may provide for managing or operating an enhanced navigation orride hailing system by sending a destination location; responsive tosending the destination location, obtaining a plurality of routes to thedestination location and corresponding costs for using each route of theplurality of routes to the destination location, wherein the pluralityof routes comprises express lanes; and displaying the plurality ofroutes and corresponding costs (e.g., financial costs of number ofdollars and cents) for using each route of the plurality of routes. Auser may enter a destination location into a mobile device interface viatext or voice and the destination may be determined locally on themobile device or on a remote server. The method, system, computerreadable storage medium, or apparatus provides for automaticallydisplaying a first route of the plurality of routes based on the profileor automatically sending a selection of a first route of the pluralityof routes based on the profile, wherein the profile comprises a dailyamount that may be used for express lanes. The method, system, computerreadable storage medium, or apparatus provides for based on theplurality of routes and corresponding costs for using each route,determining a first route that corresponds to a cost threshold and timethreshold; and displaying the first route. All combinations in thisparagraph (including the removal or addition of steps) are contemplatedin a manner that is consistent with the other portions of the detaileddescription.

What is claimed:
 1. A device comprising: a processing system including aprocessor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, whenexecuted by the processing system, facilitate performance of operationscomprising: receiving ride sharing requests from equipment of aplurality of prospective passengers; obtaining a profile for each of theplurality of prospective passengers, the profile including apredetermined preference regarding sharing costs associated with ashared ride; accepting ride sharing requests from a set of the equipmentof the plurality of prospective passengers, resulting in a shared ridewith a plurality of passengers, the accepting based on the predeterminedpreference of each of the plurality of passengers; receiving routeinformation regarding a plurality of routes; selecting a route from theplurality of routes, in accordance with the route information and aprofile for each of the plurality of passengers; determining anadditional cost and a time savings benefit associated with the selectedroute; and determining, for each passenger of the plurality ofpassengers, a portion of the additional cost weighted in accordance witha portion of the time savings benefit received by each passenger of theplurality of passengers.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the routeinformation comprises traffic conditions and toll information along eachof the plurality of routes.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein theoperations further comprise receiving express lane pass informationassociated with a profile for each of the plurality of passengers,wherein the selecting is performed at least in part in accordance withthe express lane pass information.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein theoperations further comprise transmitting information regarding theselected route to equipment of a vehicle driver for the shared ride. 5.The device of claim 4, wherein the operations further comprise sending amessage to a navigation application to alter a navigation route of thevehicle to the selected route.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein theselected route corresponds to a cost threshold and a time threshold. 7.The device of claim 1, wherein the profile comprises a daily amount thatis used for express lanes.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein theoperations further comprise displaying the selected route.
 9. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the device comprises a mobile device.
 10. A methodcomprising: receiving, by a processing system including a processor of amobile device, ride sharing requests from equipment of a plurality ofprospective passengers; obtaining, by the processing system, a profilefor each of the plurality of prospective passengers, the profileincluding a predetermined preference regarding sharing costs associatedwith a shared ride; accepting, by the processing system, ride sharingrequests from a set of the equipment of the plurality of prospectivepassengers, resulting in a shared ride with a plurality of passengers,the accepting based on the predetermined preference of each of theplurality of passengers; receiving, by the processing system, routeinformation regarding a plurality of routes; selecting, by theprocessing system, a route from the plurality of routes, in accordancewith the route information and a profile for each of the plurality ofpassengers; determining, by the processing system, an additional costand a time savings benefit associated with the selected route; anddetermining, by the processing system for each passenger of theplurality of passengers, a portion of the additional cost weighted inaccordance with a portion of the time savings benefit received by eachpassenger of the plurality of passengers.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein the route information comprises traffic conditions and tollinformation along each of the plurality of routes.
 12. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising receiving, by the processing system,express lane pass information associated with a profile for each of theplurality of passengers, wherein the selecting is performed at least inpart in accordance with the express lane pass information.
 13. Themethod of claim 10, further comprising transmitting, by the processingsystem, information regarding the selected route to equipment of avehicle driver for the shared ride.
 14. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising sending, by the processing system, a message to a navigationapplication to alter a navigation route of the vehicle to the selectedroute.
 15. The method of claim 10, wherein the selected routecorresponds to a cost threshold and a time threshold.
 16. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the profile comprises a daily amount that is used forexpress lanes.
 17. A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprisingexecutable instructions that, when executed by a processing systemincluding a processor, facilitate performance of operations comprising:receiving ride sharing requests from equipment of a plurality ofprospective passengers; obtaining a profile for each of the plurality ofprospective passengers, the profile including a predetermined preferenceregarding sharing costs associated with a shared ride; accepting ridesharing requests from a set of the equipment of the plurality ofprospective passengers, resulting in a shared ride with a plurality ofpassengers in a vehicle, the accepting based on the predeterminedpreference of each of the plurality of passengers; receiving routeinformation regarding a plurality of routes; selecting a route from theplurality of routes, in accordance with the route information and aprofile for each of the plurality of passengers; determining anadditional cost and a time savings benefit associated with the selectedroute; and determining, for each passenger of the plurality ofpassengers, a portion of the additional cost weighted in accordance witha portion of the time savings benefit received by each passenger of theplurality of passengers.
 18. The non-transitory machine-readable mediumof claim 17, wherein the route information comprises traffic conditionsand toll information along each of the plurality of routes.
 19. Thenon-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 17, wherein theoperations further comprise receiving express lane pass informationassociated with a profile for each of the plurality of passengers,wherein the selecting is performed at least in part in accordance withthe express lane pass information.
 20. The non-transitorymachine-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the operations furthercomprise transmitting information regarding the selected route toequipment of a driver of the vehicle.